Brazil can get better, says midfielder Coutinho

Sao Paulo, March 26 (IANS) Midfielder Philippe Coutinho has insisted that the Brazilian football team still has scope for improvement despite winning seven straight matches since the appointment of coach Tite.

The Selecao moved to within touching distance of a berth at next year's World Cup with a 4-1 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday. Tite's team will all but secure a spot in Russia if they overcome Paraguay at Corinthians Arena on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Despite the confidence gained under Tite, who replaced Dunga in June after the team's group-stage elimination from the Copa America, Coutinho said Brazil were far from a finished product.

"There is always something that we can improve. Tite pays a lot of attention to detail, positioning and dead-ball situations. We are playing well but he is always talking about what we need to do to get better," the Liverpool midfielder told reporters on Saturday.

Brazil currently lead the South American zone World Cup qualifying standings with 30 points from 13 matches, seven points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.

Paraguay are seventh, with 18 points, and need to win on Tuesday to maintain hope of qualifying for the tournament in Russia.

"We have to be focused just as we were against Uruguay. Every game is complicated and every team wants to make life difficult for us," Coutinho said.

"We had a great result against Uruguay, which showed our maturity. But now we have another challenge. If we are all focused, we are confident that everything will go to plan," he added.